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Vergas man facing felony charges following snowmobile chase

A 28-year-old Vergas man spent his Christmas weekend in jail following a high-speed pursuit with Detroit Lakes and Becker County law enforcement officers. He has since been charged with two felonies in connection with the incident.

Authorities received a complaint from Holiday gas station that Kevin James Towey was allegedly intoxicated while driving a snowmobile heading toward Detroit Lake at about 2:15 a.m. Friday.

Detroit Lakes Police Chief Kel Keena said two DLPD officers and two Becker County Sheriff's deputies were involved in the pursuit that led to Towey's arrest at an Otter Tail County residence later that evening.

"He got away and they found him later that night and arrested him," Keena said.

Police say Towey collided with a squad car at 270th Avenue, about one mile south of Detroit Lakes.

Becker County Sheriff Tim Gordon said the squad car was driven by Deputy Ty Warren, and the damage to the driver's side door is estimated at about $1,000.

"We'll be seeking restitution on it upon conviction," Gordon said.

Nobody was injured in the pursuit but after Warren tried to restrict movement, Towey allegedly slammed into the car on his snowmobile.

"It appears that it was intentional ramming," Gordon said.

It is unknown how fast the snowmobile and squad cars were traveling at the time or whether or not Towey was intoxicated.

Keena said the joint effort between city and county police led to Towey's arrest shortly after 8 p.m. Friday.

"He outran them but they caught up with him later on," he added.

Towey was held at the Becker County Jail over the weekend; he made his first appearance in court Monday on felony charges of fleeing a peace officer and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon (i.e., the snowmobile).

He has been released on $10,000 bond pending his next appearance at a Rule 8 hearing on Jan. 10.